Physician profile: T. Anthony GiaQuinta, M.D.

Work
EMPLOYER: Hendricks Regional Health  (A Suburban Health Organization), Indianapolis

Training
RESIDENCY: Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, Nashville
IN PRACTICE SINCE: July, 2012

Personal
GiaQuinta enjoys spending time with his wife, Sarah. They enjoy camping, music, concerts and hiking with their dog, Murray. He also likes to run and play the guitar.

What’s your advice for residents who are beginning their job search?

Take a deep breath and be patient! After all the years of studying and late nights on call, the realization that my lifelong goal was in sight can be a little surreal. Why rush now? There is a lot that goes into finding that ideal job: location, lifestyle, salary, patient population, etc.

Keep these in mind as you are approached with different job offers. I found that I needed to refocus from time to time the type of doctor I always imagined myself as, and which practice would best shape that vision.

What surprised you about your first post-residency job?

Get ready for this… you are wanted!

Getting into medical school and residency was such a humbling process, I sometimes felt like I was begging for acceptance. My job search wasn’t like this at all. You’ve worked hard; be proud of your resume, and let it go to work! It was such a great feeling realizing that jobs were looking for you, too.

What do you wish they had taught in med school but didn’t?

I always wish I had a better understanding of my debt situation, and how much that debt would accumulate in interest during residency when my loan went into forbearance.

There are repayment strategies during residency, such as income-based repayment, that are reasonable payment options and can help alleviate the interest that re-capitalizes onto your principal loan amount. Even better, some loan repayment options offer loan forgiveness options if you work in underserved or academic centers, which includes residency.

Anything particularly unique about your physician job search?

Be careful signing up with too many search firms. Though it’s nice having others bring jobs to you, it’s important to stay in control of your job search. Be honest with your intentions and goals, and if not interested, it’s OK to politely say so.

I always felt so humbled and flattered to receive a job offer, that I almost felt it rude to decline an offer. If not interested, it’s better to let them know so they can focus their efforts elsewhere.